You'll get the latest updates on this topic in your browser notifications.

The U.S. Navy has declined to comment on Stanley Rehm’s version of events, though the story of Gary Rehm’s heroism is being widely circulated among sailors, PEOPLE can confirm.

U.S. Navy/AP

Rehm, 37, from Elyria, Ohio, joined the Navy in 1998 fresh out of high school. He was just three months from retiring with full benefits – following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who served in the Navy in World War II.

Rehm saved up to 20 lives by going into dangerous parts of the ship that had been breached in the collision and helping his fellow sailors get to safety, his uncle said.

“He went back to get the other ones and I guess from what I understand they had to close the hatch, because the ship was taking on water,” Stanley Rehm told WKYC. “He died a hero trying to save the people on his ship.”

Iori Sagisawa/Kyodo News/AP

Because he was older than most of his fellow shipmates, Stanley told The Daily Beast that Gary, 37, called them his “kids.”

“He always helped everybody,” Stanley told WKYC. “Somebody needed a helping hand, he was there to help them. He was just that kind of guy.”

RELATED VIDEO: Navy Suspends Search for Missing U.S. Sailors After Bodies Found in Damaged Ship

According to WKYC, Gary was married but had no children. His family said he will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, the Philippine container ship ACXCrystal smashed into the much smaller Arleigh Burke-class destroyer off the coast of Japan. The brunt of the collision came in the sleeping berths were much of the crew was asleep.

Manage Push Notifications

If you have opted in for our browser push notifications, and you would like to
opt-out, please refer to the following instructions depending on your device and
browser. For turning notifications on or off on Google Chrome and Android
click here, for Firefox
click here, for Safari
click here and for Microsoft's Edge
click here.

this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.